Robodebt whistleblower was told her royal commission evidence ‘could cost you your job’, court hears

Jeannie-Marie Blake was one of the key whistleblowers in the robodebt scandal, helping expose problems with the scheme at the royal commission while still employed by the government. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Jeannie-Marie Blake was one of the key whistleblowers in the robodebt scandal, helping expose problems with the scheme at the royal commission while still employed by the government. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian Robodebt whistleblower was told her royal commission evidence ‘could cost you your job’, court hears Exclusive: Jeannie-Marie Blake is suing the Australian government over alleged threats, which her department denies making Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A key robodebt whistleblower is suing the Australian government, alleging she was threatened before she appeared at a royal commission and was warned that her testimony “could cost you your job”. Services Australia whistleblower Jeannie-Marie Blake has filed proceedings in the federal court, alleging her department made repeated threats against her before and after her explosive evidence to the robodebt royal commission. Blake, a compliance officer at the agency’s Mornington office in Victoria, was on the frontline during the rollout of the robodebt scheme. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email She was involved in an initial pilot and was in the compliance team during its disastrous implementation from 2016. Blake has previously spoken of being haunted by the voices of those who pleaded with her and her team for help, and says the trauma has left her suicidal and battling alcoholism. In court documents, Blake says she blew the whistle repeatedly about the scheme’s unfairness and harm, including during monthly team meetings, in meetings with her team leaders, and to senior executives. She alleges she was told to resign if she did not want to administer the scheme. View image in fullscreen Blake was the only current Services Australia employee to give testimony voluntarily and was overcome with emotion when speaking about the scheme’s impact. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian She alleged that in 2023, she informed her department that she intended to give voluntary evidence to the royal commission, telling the head of compliance that: “I feel it is the right thing to do”. He allegedly responded with words to the effect of: “You better make sure you cross your T’s and dot your I’s because this could cost you your job if you’re not telling the truth.’” Blake alleges he also said: “The only people giving evidence are the people that have been subpoenaed. You should get legal advice before giving evidence.” In its defence filed in court, the government has denied that Blake was threatened. A crucial witness Blake’s evidence to the royal commission in February 2023 was crucial. She was the only current Services Australia employee to give testimony voluntarily, and was overcome with em